The Laboratory

We are a pharmaceutics laboratory which means we formulate medicinal products for a variety of end uses. One of the oldest roles of a pharmacist was to produce medicinal products. We have moved on since the early days of simple bottles and lotions, however somebody must actually make the product. My group and I do just that, we turn medicinal chemistry molecules into real products, intravenous (IV), oral (tablets), transdermal (patches) and a variety of other routes less easily discussed. We are true formulators.

We have a focus on stabilisation of active molecules to provide long term Quality Assurance (QA) of medicinal products. Indeed this is the area I cover for the pharmacy programme within the Aseptic Pharmaceutical Technology module.

At a research level we conduct lyophilisation (freeze drying) and spray drying of molecules studying the process of drying materials. This photosynth (you may need a plugin) is of one of the experimental freeze driers. It provides full product temperature control with shelf temperatures from -60oC to +60oC. Since this is an experimental machine its quite interesting to take a look at all its 'inner' workings.

Best Wishes

Dr Andrew Ingham.

BSc(Hon), PhD, PGCE, MRPharmS.

Basic Introduction to freeze drying.

[click play for next step] - a very basic view is provided as to how materials can be dried at very low temperatures.

Dr Andrew Ingham / Aston University / All copyright with original holders.